Last week, we reported that the former Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert’s husband Timothy Busfield had been accused of sexually abusing two 11 year-old twin boys. We then reported that Gilbert was standing by her husband in the wake of these allegations.
Now, Gilbert is doubling down on this in a big way. Indeed, she has sent a letter to the judge in her husband’s case in which she described Busfield as her “protector.”
Gilbert Defends Busfield
In legal documents obtained by Fox News, Gilbert, 61, is listed as a potential defense witness for Busfield. The documents list 13 people the defense may call, including Gilbert.
Gilbert also submitted a letter to the judge voicing her support for her husband. In it, she describes herself as being Busfield’s wife. Gilbert wrote that she and Busfield, 68, first crossed paths in the 1980s. They later reconnected decades later, falling in love in 2012.
“The reality is that Tim Busfield is my love, my rock, my partner in business and life,” Gilbert wrote. “He is my comfort and my council. His joy, humor and quick wit bring sparkle to my life. Tim is, quite simply, the beating heart of our wild and wonderful extended family.”
Gilbert went on to tell the judge that she knows Busfield “better and more intimately than anyone else in his life,” describing him as a man guided by principle and compassion.
“Tim has the strongest moral compass of any human I have ever known,” she wrote. “He has dedicated his spiritual self to always being of service to others. He starts every day with kindness and compassion.”
Gilbert then claimed that Busfield has a consistently positive reputation in the entertainment industry. She alleged that on “every single set where Tim is working, multiple people” have told her that he is “their favorite director ever.” Gilbert claims to have gotten similar comments come from strangers “in restaurants, on red carpets and in grocery stores too.”
Gilbert Praises Busfield
Later in her letter, Gilbert gushed over Busfield’s relationship with her youngest son, Michael. She described the active role that Busfield has had in the teenager’s life.
“Tim nurtured and guided Michael,” she wrote. “He admonished, praised, loved, consoled, cajoled, fretted, cared for, and fed my son both physically and spiritually.”
Gilbert also touched on Busfield’s military background. According to her, this has shaped his values and reinforced his commitment to “honor, integrity, compassion and care for his fellow human beings.”
Gilbert ended her letter by admitting how difficult and emotional it was to address the court.
“This is the strangest letter I’ve ever had to write,” she concluded. “So, I will close by asking you to please, please, take care of my sweet husband. As he is my protector, I am his, but I cannot protect him now and I think that, more than anything else, is what is truly breaking my heart. I am relying on you to protect him for me.”
This was one of 75 letters that was submitted to the court on Busfield’s behalf.
Busfield’s Arrest
Busfield surrendered to the Albuquerque Police Department last Tuesday. This came after an arrest warrant was issued four days before alleging that Busfield engaged in unlawful sexual conduct with two boys. Busfield has been charged with two counts of criminal sexual contact of a minor and one count of child abuse. He is currently being held without bond.
Gilbert, who has been married to Busfield since 2013, stood by him in the wake of his arrest.
“During this period, her focus is on supporting and caring for their very large family, as they navigate this moment,” Gilbert’s rep told Us Weekly last week. “Melissa stands with and supports her husband and will address the public at an appropriate time. We ask that their privacy be respected.”
Gilbert’s rep also said that she will be “honoring the request of Tim’s lawyers not to speak publicly while the legal process unfolds.”
Busfield has been denied bond, and he is currently in custody. Only time will tell how this case turns out for him.